The big picture
- The Harry Potter film franchise had to make the necessary cuts from the book series, but one scene that shouldn't have been cut was when Hermione solves the potion riddle at the end of
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
. - The potion riddle highlights Hermione's intelligence and foreshadows her importance to the franchise.
- Cutting the potion riddle scene took away an important moment for Hermione to show her skills and critical thinking.
Like any adaptation, the Harry Potter film franchise isn't exactly like the books, with plots and characters cut, details changed, and even some sequences added, but overall the film series is a good adaptation . Still, some of the changes leave something to be desired. As the first film in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has a particularly difficult job of introducing the magical world and the characters that populate it. While it largely stays true to the story fans already knew, some changes are worth noting, like cutting out the poltergeist, Peeves, or downplaying Harry's trip to Diagon Alley. The film certainly needed to save time, but the biggest loss comes at the end when the three young heroes desperately try to save the day.
Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Rum (Rupert Grint), Hermione (Emma Watson), and the rest make the audience fall in love with the story as the trio make it their mission to protect the ancient Philosopher's Stone they believe to be Snape (Alan Rickman) is trying to steal. As they sneak into the secret hideout where Dumbledore (Richard Harris) has hidden the artifact, Harry, Ron, and Hermione face various obstacles, each put in place by a teacher to protect the artifact. Fortunately, they are uniquely equipped to meet these challenges as Ron relies on his chess skills and Harry shows his flight, but the one showing Hermione's talents isn't in the movierobbing the audience of a fascinating character moment.
Hermione should have solved the potions riddle in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'
The film shows Harry, Ron and Hermione facing challenges as they pursue Quirrell (Ian Hart), who is really behind the Stone, even though they think it's Snape. It starts out very similar to the book as they confront Fluffy the three-headed dog, escape the Devil's Trap, grab the flying key, and play as chess pieces on a giant board, but then that changes. The film cut to two challenges, the first being a troll, which Harry and Hermione didn't have to fight because it was already unconscious, followed by an intense potions conundrum that, if solved wrong, could kill them instantly.
The riddle consists of seven bottles of liquid: three filled with poison, two with nettle wine, one that will bring the drinker back to the beautiful room safely, and one that will allow a person to pass through the flames blocking the door Next. With a riddle to solve, Hermione quickly and confidently deduces which bottle is which, allowing her and Harry to decide what comes next. Only one of them can continue because there isn't much potion left, which is the only reason Hermione stays behind instead of joining Harry to face Voldemort. Instead of including this, the movie leaves Hermione behind to take care of Ron after his sacrifice. Ron certainly suffers, but Harry faces far more danger as he goes along, and letting him go it alone makes more sense when there's a legitimate reason he can't continue.
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The riddle foreshadows Hermione's importance in the Harry Potter franchise
The potion riddle is more than just another obstacle to get to the bad ending. It highlights Snape's role in protecting the stone, and the level of difficulty in solving the riddle should show that he didn't want anyone to find him. It's an early sign of his loyalty to Dumbledore, which makes it remarkable. But it's even more important when it comes to Hermione because solving this riddle represents his role for the rest of the series. It becomes one of the first times that Harry would have died without Hermione to save him. More than showing Hermione's intelligence, the scene shows that without her, Harry could never have gotten as far as he did. This is a recurring situation throughout the series as Hermione discovers the truth about the Basilisk, freeing them from Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), and even directs them to the Deathly Hallows. Harry may be the hero, but he wouldn't have gotten very far without Hermione's support.
Hermione's character shines as she solves the near-impossible riddle, showing her practical thinking even under extreme pressure. The movie certainly still allows her to complete one of the challenges, as Hermione gets the trio through the Devil's Trap. However, this only shows his skill with memorization, not critical thinking like the puzzle. Hermione's logic is much more important. Before solving the puzzle, the book even says that few wizards bother with this ability. In Ron's challenge, he shows his loyalty by sacrificing himself for his friends. Not only does Harry use his talent as a seeker, but when he reaches the Mirror of Erised, he shows his desire to do well by getting the stone. But Hermione dealing with the Devil's Trap doesn't share the same meaning. Cutting the potion challenge stopped Hermione from manifesting why he was the best person to complete the trio. Many students pay more attention in class than Ron and Harry, but few, if any, have Hermione's brilliance.
Cracking the potions riddle took a big moment for Hermione
Hermione misses more than one chance to showcase her talent as the trial adds emphasis to her recognition that Harry must continue. Hermione is an incredibly capable and independent witch, but when there's only enough potion for one, she has no qualms about sending Harry away without her. Instead, she encourages him. Harry volunteers, and Hermione acknowledges that it's better for the showdown, putting aside his pride. Both the books and movies include the famous line “Books and brains! There are more important things: friendship and bravery” as she and Harry part ways, but it means more when her brains get the better of them to save
Not only did cutting the potion puzzle take away from a great scene, it stole an important moment for Hermione. His character is vital to the story, and while the potion riddle is just one of many examples, it perfectly demonstrates his abilities even at a young age. The puzzle is made to bring down any wizard, but Hermione quickly discovers that because, even at eleven years old, he is smarter than most. The movie removed her, cutting what should have been a testament to who Hermione is and her essential value to the trio's survival.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is available to stream on Max in the US
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